Kad Kambara Ramayanam atdzīvojās Nack teātrī, Dalasā

A unique event took place at the Nack Theater in Dallas, USA, on August 16, where a version of the 13th-century Tamil poet Kambar’s epic Ramayanam (Kamba Ramayanam) resonated throughout the audience to the accompaniment of piano, violin, mridangam and kanjira.

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Music and literature enthusiasts were treated to a different experience as the verses were brought to life in a full-fledged classical music concert. Said to be the first of its kind, it was organised by Thevishnupuram Literary Circle, USA. Some verses from the Kamba Ramayanam have been set to music before, but usually they were part of a larger repertoire. Never before has an entire concert been dedicated to the epic with a full-scale PELO, violin, Mridangam and Kanjira ensemble.

Raleigh Rajan. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

 

Raleigh Rajan, who has carved a niche for himself in this genre where poetry merges with classical music, is the man behind the music. He has previously set some works from Sangam poetry to music in collaboration with the Durham Symphony, one of which was adopted as the anthem for the World Tamil Conference in 2019. His mixed knowledge of Indian and Western classical music inspired him to dream of using chords to enhance the melody of Carnatic music.

Raju Balan on Mridangam, Sai Shankar Ganesh on Piano, Skanda Narayanan on Kanjira, Priya Krish and Uma Mahesh on Violin. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

 

13 verses selected from the entire collection of Kamba Ramayanam wereEssentially a journey of some significant epic moments. Carnatic musician and playback singer Priya Krisha has delivered the verses with grace and finesse. She has infused the right Bhava in each composition, going through complex paths, engaging the audience, leaving many in awe.

Priya ably supported Raju Balan on Mridangam, Uma Mahesh on Violin, Sai Shankar Ganesh on Piano and Skanda Narayanan on Kanjira. The entire group performed with amazing poise as they effortlessly unleashed the magic of strings and percussion during Kalpanaswaras, Korvais and Thaniyavarthanams.

Another aspect that set this concert apart was the fact that it was an immersive experience. While the music and lyrics blended seamlessly, the stage backdrop came alive with tastefully created digital paintings from the epic. Krishna Kumar was responsible for setting this ambiance, which took the audience back in time to witness and be a part of some of the most important moments. The acoustics and lighting further elevated the concert.

Singer Priya Krisha. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

 

Most of the time, the poetic brilliance of Carnatic compositions goes unnoticed either due to the language barrier or lack of knowledge about the art itself. Narrator Pazhani Jyothi brought the much-needed element of appreciation to poetry with infectious enthusiasm. He guided the audience through the magical words of the literary Titan, calling out nuances, highlighting literary devices and offering commentary on selected lines. His passion for the epic and his understanding of it enhanced the experience. It was a brilliant addition to the concert, helping the audience understand and engage more with the poetry.

One of the reasons the concert was called a success was how quickly it absorbed the young audience – the typical American kids of NRI parents, perhaps, transformed into avid Kambara fans. That was the power of the music that evening. It had enough complexity to please the connoisseur, the casual music enthusiast or the uninitiated. People were rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime musical literary experience.